Tara Murray
Footscray United will take momentum into the third and deciding game of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 3 grand final series.
After losing game one to Grand United, Footscray United responded with a win on Sunday in game two to keep the series alive.
The third game will be held this Saturday.
Footscray United captain-coach Shafraz Mohamed said for the most part, they had played really well across the weekend.
“We’re still in with a chance,” he said. “We told the boys after Saturday night that we were in control for seven-eighths of the game.
“It was that one-eighth that we failed to execute. We knew if we could execute our game plan with both the bat and ball we could get the win in game two.”
In game one, Grand United made 6-173 from their 40 overs. Mohamed was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3-43.
Footscray was bowled out for 138 in reply.
Syed Hussain was the best of the batters, making 138.
Mohamed said winning the toss for day two was a key, with Footscray deciding to bat first.
“We told Chathura Milan to go out there and go for it and bat for 10 overs and get us off to a good start,” he said.
“We were 0-80 off 10 overs. He is one of the biggest hitters in the competition. He made a 20-ball 50, smashing them to all corners of the ground.”
United finished 7-197 from their overs with Milan top scoring with 56. Mohamed said if not for a couple of run outs, the score would have been closer to 250.
Despite that, Mohamed said they were confident they had enough runs on the board.
“We have one of the best bowling attacks in the competition.”
Having got back into the grand final series, Mohamed said they were confident they could take the win in game three to seal the premiership.
He said with their deep batting line up and the top line bowling attack, they backed themselves in every day of the week.
“We’re feeling confident,” he said. “We’ve just got to execute our game play.
“There’s been two quality games, but we’ve got the momentum now, we’ve got our fingers crossed it can continue.”
A premiership this weekend, would be icing on the cake for United after a strong couple of seasons.
Mohamed, who is in his second season at the club, said a premiership this season would be the highlight of his career.
“It’s my second season here as captain-coach, after 11 or 12 years at Keilor,” he said.
“I wanted the chance to come down to a club in a lower division and have a real impact. We made the grand final last year and earned promotion.
“We recruited a few players and it has paid off.
“It will be the highlight of my career if we can get two promotions in two years.”
